Winter Getaway ....a few bumps on the road

On our way to Memphis, we had noted that our new refrigerator was acting up...it seemed cold at times, but then seemed to not be retaining the cold at any point when we pulled over for breaks.  When we pulled into our Airbnb after 6 pm, the inside lights would not work to assist us in gathering our necessary items for check-in...hmmm.  Being the quick witted folks that we are, Bill decided that the back battery must have some loose wires. He grabbed the flashlight and opened the back van doors, rattling around to open the area where the battery was.... silence.  He shut the door, locked up and we walked towards our "home" for the next two days.  I asked, "did you figure it out?" With the most sheepish look on his face he replied, "I forgot to get the battery out of the house."  He had retrieved the main battery for under the hood, but in our haste to get "outta Dodge", had totally forgotten the OTHER battery.  He told me not to tell anyone, but promptly told our kids so I think I am free to share this!!  HaHa!  Quick stop at AutoZone solved problem #1.

As we started on our way to Shreveport, we met with a few snow flurries coming through Arkansas, and then spotted a Camping World near North Little Rock around 2 pm.  Feeling like we deserved a break, and still thinking that our refrigerator wasn't working correctly; we pulled in to have them check our propane level (which operates the fridge, the stove, the heat)......and we were still sitting there at 6 pm when they closed!!
The propane was still at 75% but it was determined that they would fill it, except--when the hose was pulled out it broke the valve, propane spewing out everywhere.  The very bad news was that a new tank was the solution.  The next bad news was that it would cost $1500+.  The final bad news was that they did not believe they could find a propane tank for our Vintage Model..and if they could, it could take 2 weeks.  Of course, Bill's first response was to go to the bathroom to settle his upset stomach and to think!!  My husband is the world's best resource person.  He began calling different people and found a RoadTrek owner (from his Vintage RoadTrek FB group) who had purchased several propane tanks when RoadTrek went out of business a few years ago... (drum roll)  for $450!! AND, he lives in Grand Rapids so Bill can pick it up when we get home in April! The heavy load lightened, our current dilemma seemed easier to determine.  We would "wait out" the leaking propane, drive it on our merry way without propane and manage on electricity or a cooler with ice.  However, the propane had a VERY slow drip/spray and at 6:00 pm the manager reluctantly told us he couldn't let us drive until it was drained...and we should think about a motel for the night.  He graciously drove us to the closest motel where the lovely desk clerk gave us the AARP discount, bringing our total below $100, better than we thought.  We slept in our clothes, woke up the next morning, called Camping World, and were on the road by 9:30; bypassing Shreveport and on to Lake Charles to meet our friends.




Lessons Learned:  1) Something always goes wrong.  2) Humor helps.  3) Attitude Adjustments are always needed.  4) Gratefulness Wins every time.     
Overriding all of the frustrations and bad news:  God gave Bill wisdom & creativity, God provided rides with kind polite drivers, a desk clerk who generously gave us free beverages that evening, an excellent free breakfast at the hotel.  And we were extremely thankful for a fresh start on Day 4!!